Writers Bloc: Expos sale unlikely to have Disney ending

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Updated: April 21, 2003, 9:57 AM ET

By Jim Baker | MLB Insider

The original asking price for the Anaheim Angels was some $300 million. When they were sold last week to Arturo Moreno, it was for considerably less than that: $180 million. That selling price, writes Eric Fisher of the Washington Times, could heavily influence how much new owners should pay Major League Baseball to take possession of the league-owned Expos. MLB paid $120 for the Expos and one must wonder if they are even worth two-thirds of that at this point.

It is against baseball's rules for players and executives under contract to announce a desire to work for a different organization. Conversely, it is against the rules for teams to let it be known they covet those under contract to a different franchise. There are no such rules governing reporters, however, and here is one who thinks that Giants general manager Brian Sabean would look good sitting behind a desk at Shea Stadium. Is that even a factor here, though? Lawrence Rocca of the Newark Star-Ledger writes that Sabean is working the 2003 season on a handshake deal and he suggests the Mets might make a big play for him after axing current GM Steve Phillips at the end of the season.

The Angels had their Rally Monkey and now their regional rivals the Dodgers are going to have a&Rally Donkey? T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times is running a contest to create a groundswell of support for just such a mascot.

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